Intel has teamed up with rapper 50 Cent to announce a new set of earphones that can measure the wearers' heartbeat and sync the data with fitness tracking apps, online media reports.

BioSport In-Ear headphones use an optical sensor to monitor heart rate and send that information down the headphone cable to a bespoke app running on a smartphone. They were announced by 50 Cent's company SMS Audio on Friday, and are based on Intel's smart earphone design unveiled at the Consumer Electronics show in January.

"With SMS Audio, we will bring smart headphones to market that eliminate the inconvenience of add-on devices with an integrated, one-device fitness accessory offering high-end style and premier sound quality for an exceptional fitness experience," said Michael Bell, general manager of the new devices group at Intel.